Post by libby on Jan 30, 2016 12:53:20 GMT -6
Badlands’ proposed fee increase seems high … but it would improve SD tourism
The rugged terrain in Badlands National Park isn’t the only thing that’s steep these days. There’s also a proposed entrance fee increase that seems like quite a hike.
The current fee for the Badlands annual pass is $30; the proposed 2017 fee would be $50. The current vehicle fee, good for seven days, is $15; it would jump to $25. Similarly, the seven-day per person fee is $7 now and would increase to $12, while the seven-day motorcycle fee would rise from $10 to $20.
At first glance, our thought is that these fee increases seem to be big increases, although some would not have to pay them. The park says it doesn’t charge entrance fees to holders of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands annual, senior, access, or military passes, all of which are available at the park.The park doesn’t charge entrance fees to members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, either.
On the other hand, the park has announced the fee increase would generate $550,000 per year for Badlands National Park, which is certainly a jewel of the National Park System and one of the big wheels driving South Dakota’s tourism industry — and it will be those tourists from all 50 states and from many foreign countries who will be generating most of that revenue.
Read more: www.capjournal.com/opinions/badlands-proposed-fee-increase-seems-high-but-it-would-improve/article_cbf42b6c-c64a-11e5-a9f7-db64cfa47116.html
The rugged terrain in Badlands National Park isn’t the only thing that’s steep these days. There’s also a proposed entrance fee increase that seems like quite a hike.
The current fee for the Badlands annual pass is $30; the proposed 2017 fee would be $50. The current vehicle fee, good for seven days, is $15; it would jump to $25. Similarly, the seven-day per person fee is $7 now and would increase to $12, while the seven-day motorcycle fee would rise from $10 to $20.
At first glance, our thought is that these fee increases seem to be big increases, although some would not have to pay them. The park says it doesn’t charge entrance fees to holders of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands annual, senior, access, or military passes, all of which are available at the park.The park doesn’t charge entrance fees to members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, either.
On the other hand, the park has announced the fee increase would generate $550,000 per year for Badlands National Park, which is certainly a jewel of the National Park System and one of the big wheels driving South Dakota’s tourism industry — and it will be those tourists from all 50 states and from many foreign countries who will be generating most of that revenue.
Read more: www.capjournal.com/opinions/badlands-proposed-fee-increase-seems-high-but-it-would-improve/article_cbf42b6c-c64a-11e5-a9f7-db64cfa47116.html